Logging block suspension and line retainer



Aug. 10, 1965 J. M. MGKEAN 3,199,841

LOGGING BLOCK SUSPENSION AND LINE RETAINER Filed March 27, 1962 BMK/7M Asswr United States Patent O ,109,841 LGGENG BLSCK SUSPENSEN AND MNE .lohn M. Mci-iene, San Chanante, Caiif., assigner to Alloy Steel and Metals Qompany, Los Angeles, 1faiif., a corporation of Caiifornia Fiied Mo 27, i962, Ser. No. 132,728 7 Claims. (Cl. 25d-193) This invention relates to a snatch block, or sheave block, and is particularly concerned with a suspension element that contines a line to the sheave of the block.

Sheave blocks are used for a wide variety of purposes, and a typical purpose is for logging, or the like. A logging block, as such, requires a quickly removable and replaceable closure for the confinement of the line to the sheave, and this closure is usually incorporated in the suspension head structure of the block. Heretofore, special head structures have been provided, some divided bilaterally, some with additional key members that eX- tend between the side frames, and some with separate gate members that drop into place between the side frames of the block, etc. In any case, the prior art resorts to multiple parts and the head part which closes the opening of the block is characteristically a transverse bar-shaped member removed radially from the periphery of the sheave. As a result, the shortcomings of the prior art reside in multi-part structures that do not properly confine the line to the sheave, but permit the line to whip away from the sheave.

A general object of this invention is to provide a single part multi-purpose suspension member for a sheave block which serves in the capacity of a shackle and also in the capacity of a line retainer, and particularly a retainer that contines the line to an operating position within the periphery of the sheave.

it is an object of this invention to provide a sheave block suspension in the basic form of a shackle and which incorporates a line guide therein, whereby with one releasing operation of the shackle either, or both, the support for the sheave block and line can be removed and/or replaced.

lt is still another object of this invention to provide a shackle that is operable to release the line from the sheave without releasing the support that carries the entire sheave block, and a shackle that forms a hook when in open position.

T he various objects and features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of the typical preferred form and application thereof, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

PIG. l is an elevation of the sheave block and suspension, shown in a closed operating position.

FIG. 2 is a View similar to FIG. l and shows the suspension member in an extereme open position and forming a hook for continued support of the block structure.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view taken as indicated by line 3 3 on PEG. l.

The present invention is specifically concerned with snatch blocks or sheave blocks used for passing a moving line 1i?. The line 10 may be a rope or cable, for eX- ample a wire rope, of uniform diameter and flexibility so as to bend over a sheave l. In practice, the degree of bend over the sheave varies greatly up to 180, a complete return of the line lil. And, so long as the line i@ remains tensioned the said line will normally remain on the sheave. However, in use a line often becomes slack and with the result that it separates from the periphery of the sheave il.

In the drawings a sheave block B is illustrated and in- ICC volves generally, the sheave Eil, a pair of opposite side frames l2, and a shaft assembly 13. The sheave i1 is a pulley shaped wheel that revolves between the spaced side frames i2, and the shaft assembly i3 extends between the side frames l2 to carry the sheave l1.

The sheave lil is a grooved wheel or pulley having a circumferential groove l5 with side flanges lo. The groove 1S and side lianges 16 form a valley shaped peripheral channel, the groove t5 being arcuate and of Ya radius to properly receive and seat the diameter of the line it?, as may be required. The flanges i6 hare radially outward and well beyond the outermost periphery of the line it) when it is properly seated in the groove.

The side frames i?, are alike and each is a half shell of disc formation having a central bore 1S and an upstanding ear i9. The frame 12 has a iat inner face 249 with a bore 2 therein that receives the outer diameter of a flange i6 with some clearance. Thus, the flanges i6 can enter partially into the bores 2l without engagement with the side frames l2. A feature of the construction is that the ears i9 of the two side frames 12 are substantially spaced when the side frames are in position at opposite sides of the sheave il. As shown, therefore, the ears project axially away from the face 2t? as they exten radialy. As a result, the ears i9, being alike, spread or diverge outwardly as they extend upward from the disc shaped side frames l2.

ln order to accommodate the suspension member S later described the ears i9 are bifurcated alike to leave an opening from the reception of the suspension member by each ear. Further, the ears i9 are provided with fastener openings 22 to receive pin type fasteners on axes that are spaced and parallel and equidistant from both the sheave axis and rotational plane lof the sheave,

The shaft assembly i3 is provided to join the side frames 12 and to rotatably carry the sheave li. There is a shaft 25 with an enlarged center portion to rotatably journal the sheave il, as on antifriction bearings (not shown) and the said enlarged portion presents opposite shoulders 26 that properly position the side frames l2. Projecting from each shoulder 26 there is a threaded portion, one centered in each bore i8, and secured to the side frame i2 by means of a nut 27. Thus the trames 12 are held together, and they are also secured as by radially displaced fasteners 30 at the lower part of the structure, as clearly indicated.

With the structure thus far described there is a sheave il rotatable on bearings supported by spaced frames l2, with ears l projecting from the frames to receive a suspension member S,

In accordance with this invention there is provided the suspension member S in the basic form of a shackle and serving in the capacity of a shackle, a hook, -a closure for the block and as a guide to retain the line l@ in the groove i5 and within the contines of the lianges le. As shown, the i ember S is a casting or forging, or it can be fashioned by any other suitable method, of arch-shaped inverted U-coni'lguration. rfhe member S has, therefore, an arcuate center section 3@ terminating at opposite end sections 35 and it? and in addition it has a line guide section d5' projecting from one of the end sections, the section 4Q.

it is the center section 3) that is U-shaped with opposite legs 31 :and 32 that are substantially parallel, and with the result that the throat opening 33 is of substantial depth, for example of a depth equal to about the distance between opposite ears i9.

The end sections 35 and dit are essentially alike and each is hat sided with :an opening therethrough to pass a fastener. That is, the sections 35 and di? are flattened so as to enter between the bifurcations of the ears i9, and with openings 3e and il that are spaced and parallel and positioned so as to align with the said aligned openings in the ears 19. A permanent bolt type fastener 42 is secured in place through the opening 4E and registering each openings, while a quickly releasable pin type fastener 37 is placed through the opening 35 and registering each openings. The said fastener 37, as shown in FIG. 3 has a swivelly connected tongue 38 that normally depends by gravity and which prevents withdrawal of said fastener.

A stop 43 projects from the section 4G so as to engage the side 4frame at 44 and thereby stop the member S as positioned in FIG. 2. In this opened position the supporting direction of force leads to the groove 15 more or less as indicated by the phantom line L, in which case the member S acts as a hook. In practice, the stop 40 limits movement of member S so that it has a positive predetermined open position, and it is hook-shaped when considered relative to the pin connection at the fastener 42.

In carrying out the invention the line guide section 45 is provided and which comprises an arcuate segment 46 that occupies the space between the side frames 12 and at or just outside of the periphery of the sheave 11. The segment 46 overlies or follows the contour of the sheave periphery. When the member S is in working position and held to the ears 19 by both fasteners 37 and 42, the section 45 has an arm 47 that projects to support the segment 46 positioned as above specified. The segment 46 need not touch either the side frames 12 nor the sheave 11 and in its preferred form has a concave inner face 43 adapted to slidably engage the line 1t) when said line moves (or is slackor leaves the sheave).

Many geometric refinements can be included, as illustrated, and it is the member S comprising the sections 35, 40 and 45 and the segment 46 and arm 47 that is one integral part. As hereinabove pointed out, the member S of the present invention acts in various capacities as a shackle, as a hook, as a general closure for the sheave block and as particularly specified in the capacity of an arcuate line guide that retains the line 1Q between the anges 16. In no case can the line it? escape beyond the periphery of the sheave 11 when the member S is in operating position as it is clearly illustrated in FIG. 1.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specic details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

. A removable suspension member for a sheave block having a sheave rotatably journalied between a pair of like side frames, there being oppositely positioned ears and one projecting from each side frame, and including:

(a) a shackle extending between and pivotally fastened to one of the ears and releaseably fastened to the other ear,

(b) an arcuate guide carried by the shackle to overlie the periphery of the sheave when the shackle is positioned to extend between said ears and for retaining a line at the sheave,

(c) and a stop to limit pivotal movement of the shackle at said one ear so as to form an open hook thereof when the shackle is released from the said other ear and pivoted to an open position.

2. A removable suspension member for a sheave block having a sheave rotatably journalled between a pair of like side frames, there being oppositely positioned ears and one projecting from each side frame, and including:

(a) an arched shackle extending between and having opposite side sections pivotally fastened to one of the ears `and releasably fastened to the other ear,

(b) an `arcuate guide underlying said shackle and carried by one side section thereof to overlie the periphery of the sheave when the shackle is positioned to extend between said ears and for retaining a line at the sheave,

(c) whereby a support line is received by the shackle independently of the first mentioned line retained in the sheave by said guide,

(d) and a stop to limit pivotal movement of the shackle at said one ear so as to form an arched and open hook thereof when the shackle is released from the said other ear and pivoted to an open position.

3. A removable suspension member for a sheave block having a sheave with a circumferential line accommodating groove there in and with a pair of side flanges extending radially from said groove, said sheave being rotatably journalled between a pair of like side frames, and there being oppositely positioned ears and one projecting from each side frame, :and including:

(a) an arched inverted U-shaped shackle extending between and having opposite side sections fastened to the opposite ears respectively, one section being pivotally fastened to one ear and the other section being releasably fastened to the other ear,

(b) an arcuate guide carried at the periphery of the sheave by an arm extending from one of said side sections and having a face opposed to the groove when the shackle is positioned to extend between said ears and to retain a line at the sheave,

(c) whereby a support line lis received by the shackle independently of the first mentioned line retained in the sheave by said guide,

(d) and a stop to limit pivotal movement of the shackle at said one ear whereby the said other section is disposed substantially normal to the plane of the sheave so as to form an arched and open hook when the shackle is released and pivoted to an open position.

4. A removable suspension member for a sheave block having a sheave with a circumferential line accommodating groove therein and with a pair of side flanges extending radially from said groove, said sheave being rotatably journalled between a pair of like side frames, and there being oppositely positioned ears and one projecting from each side frame, and including:

(a) an arched inverted U-shaped shackle extending between and having opposite side sections converging to and fastened to the opposite ears respectively, one section being pivotally fastened to one ear and the other section being releaseably fastened to the other ear,

(b) an arcuate guide carried at the periphery of the sheave by one of said side sections and having a face extending between the flanges and opposed to the groove when the shackle is positioned to extend between said ears and to retain a line at the sheave,

(c) whereby a support line is received by the shackle independently of the first mentioned line retained in the sheave by said guide,

(d) and a stop to limit pivotal movement of the shackle at said one ear whereby the said other section is disposed substantially normal to the plane of the sheave so as to form an arched and open hook when the shackle is released and pivoted to an open position.

5. A removable suspension member for a sheave block having a sheave rotatably journalled between a pair of like side frames, there being oppositely positioned ears and one projecting from each side frame, and including:

(a) an arched shackle extending between and having Y opposite side sections pivotally fastened to one of the ears and releasably fastened to the other ear,

(b) and -a stop to limit pivotal movement of the shackle at said one ear so as to stop the arched shackle to form an arched and open hook thereof when the shackle is released from the said other ear `and pivoted to an open position.

6. A removable suspension member for a sheave block having a sheave with a circumferential line accommodating groove therein and with a pair of side flanges extending radially from said groove, sai-d sheave being rotatably journalled between a pair of like side frames, and there eing oppositely positioned ears and one projecting from each side frame, and including:

(a) Ian arched inverted U-shaped shackle extending between and having opposite side sections fastened to the opposite ears respectively, one section being pivotally fastened to one ear and the other section being releasably fastened to the other ear,

(b) and a stop to limit pivotal movement of the shackle at said one ear whereby the said other section is stopped so as to be disposed substantially normal to the plane of the sheave and so as to form an arched and open hook when the shackle is released and pivoted to an open position.

7. A removable suspension member for a sheave block having a sheave with a circumferential line accommodating groove therein and with a pair or" side flanges extending radially from said groove, said sheave being rotatably journalled between .a pair of like side frames, and there being oppositely positioned ears and one projecting from each side frame, and including:

(a) an arched inverted U-shaped shackle extending between and having opposite side sections converging to and fastened to the opposite ears respectively, one

section being pivotally fastened to one ear and the other section being releasably fastened to the other ear,

(b) and a stop to limit pivotal movement of the shackle at said one ear whereby the said other section is stopped so as to be disposed substantially normal to the plane of the sheave and so as to form an arched and open hook when the shackle is released and pivoted to an open position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 5,186 7/47 Hill 254-192 1,243,847 10/17 McGiiert 254-194 1,625,910 4/24 Ramsey 254-193 1,630,517 5/27 Berger 254--194 2,464,451 3/ 49 Keeney 254-194 2,649,282 8/53 Fate 254-193 2,946,559 7/60 Pickett.

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

JOSEPH P. STRZAK, Emmner. 

1. A REMOVABLE SUSPENSION MEMBER FOR A SHEAVE BLOCK HAVING A SHEAVE ROTATABLY JOURNALLED BETWEEN A PAIR OF LIKE SIDE FRAMES, THEREBY BEING OPPOSITELY POSITIONED EARS AND ONE PROJECTING FROM EACH SIDE FRAME, AND INCLUDING: (A) A SHACKLE EXTENDING BETWEEN AND PIVOTALLY FASTENED TO ONE OF THE EARS AND RELEASABLY FASTENED TO THE OTHER EAR, (B) AN ARCUATE GUIDE CARRIED BY THE SHACKLE TO OVERLIE THE PERIPHERY OF THE SHEAVE WHEN THE SHACKLE IS POSITIONED TO EXTEND BETWEEN SAID EARS AND FOR RETAINING A LINE AT THE SHEAVE, (C) AND A STOP TO LIMIT PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF THE SHACKLE AT SAID ONE EAR SO AS TO FORM AN OPEN HOOK THEREOF WHEN THE SHACKLE IS RELEASED FROM THE SAID OTHER EAR AND PIVOTED TO AN OPEN POSITION. 